Parting in death feels like a dream, while parting in life weighs heavy like sorrow.

Carrying the remnants of bone and flesh, scattered afar, weathered by the frost of a thousand miles.

If we cannot grow old together, then let death unite us in eternity.

When sorrow overtakes, I drown myself in wine, for there are no tears left to offer under your gaze.

...…

The poems had already been personally transcribed by Dong Guifei. The rice paper now hung down, presenting its beauty before the gathered crowd.

There is often a saying that literature knows no first place, but that generally applies to dynasties or the entire land of Shenzhou. Within the confines of this small Yuan Chun Hall, could there really be no "first" among the four women here?

These four lines of poetry—who among them truly excels? If any discerning spectators were present, surely they would have their own verdict in mind.

The candlelight flickered, casting its glow over the women, accentuating their graceful beauty. Each was captivating in her demeanor, their gazes all fixed upon Chen Yi, the only man in the room, awaiting his decision.

Moments ago, Chen Yi had thought himself prepared for any situation, but now he was coming to understand the true meaning of the word "troublesome."

Chen Yi felt his head pounding as he surveyed the room, inevitably meeting the eager eyes of each woman. Even the usually indifferent little fox was gazing at him with an expectant expression.

Not to mention Yin Weiyin, Lin Wanxiao, and even Dong Gong Ruoshu—the same Crown Princess Consort who once inspected melons with Chen Yi—all carried a hint of hope in their eyes as they looked at him.

In the distance, Dong Guifei held the scroll of rice paper, discreetly clutching her stomach as she stifled her laughter. Though she had once shared an intimate moment with Chen Yi as a nun, their bond was hardly deep enough to warrant true feelings. At this moment, she was purely enjoying the spectacle.

Were it not for the Empress Dowager's presence, she might have burst out laughing, rolling on the ground.

Being a nun has its merits, after all.

The Empress Dowager, seeing Chen Yi frozen in inaction, said:

"Judging the merit of poetry is not so difficult, is it?

Chen Qianhu, picking the best among these should hardly warrant my personal intervention."

With that, the Empress Dowager paused, her gaze sweeping across the women seated before her. She smiled and added:

"I trust the ladies present are neither petty nor jealous. Surely no one would tear alliances apart over to whom you grant the golden hairpin."

?

Her magnanimous and fair words fell upon them, causing the women seated to fixate on Chen Yi even more intensely.

Dong Gong Ruoshu unconsciously leaned forward slightly. The hand shielding her dignity relaxed just a little, while Yin Tingxue nervously tugged at the hem of Chen Yi's robe. Even the confident female crown had her eyes locked firmly on him. Lin Wanxiao looked at him with a sorrowful expression, as though yearning to express all her sentiments in verse.

Sweat formed on Chen Yi's forehead. Feeling trapped, he could only liken himself to Zhang Wuji, wishing he could take all four women home, gift each one a hairpin, and line them up in turn. However, he only had one golden hairpin.

Surely breaking it into four pieces wasn't an option?

Chen Yi took a deep breath, his trembling fingers lifting the golden hairpin slowly.

The women collectively held their breaths in anticipation.

Chen Yi turned his gaze first to the little fox.

Yin Tingxue gazed back expectantly, her heart pounding, a sensation she had never experienced before with Chen Yi.

Would he give her the golden hairpin?

Yet in Chen Yi's eyes, there seemed to be a tinge of regret.

Yin Tingxue's almond-shaped eyes slightly contracted as she lowered her head in disappointment.

Chen Yi then turned his head, his gaze lingering on Dong Gong Ruoshu for a moment, his expression hesitant.

Even the unwilling Dong Gong Ruoshu felt her heartbeat racing in this moment.

It beat so hard, it was as if the "melons" were on the verge of bursting free...

After all, who would willingly be overshadowed by another woman?

Moreover, she had already resigned herself to fate to some extent.

Marriage... so be it.

As her uncertainty wavered, Dong Gong Ruoshu's hand lifted slightly, revealing a flash of snow-white skin.

It took all of Chen Yi's willpower to tear his gaze away from her.

He then turned his attention toward Yin Weiyin.

The female crown appeared as though she had anticipated this all along, sitting upright with an air of pride, her jade-like nose slightly lifted.

No matter what anyone said, she was destined to be the main wife to enter the gates first.

Unknowingly, his feelings for her had taken deep root long ago.

If she were ever to leave him, he would surely bury himself in blankets, crying until the heavens darkened.

Looking back on all their past entanglements, their mutual love and hatred intertwined, neither could truly rid themselves of the other. When the day came that she achieved enlightenment and ascended to a celestial realm, perhaps she might reluctantly allow him to ascend alongside her…

Wait, why did he turn his head away?!

Yin Weiyin's autumn-water eyes widened in shock, watching Chen Yi's gaze shift over to Lin Wanxiao.

The female crown was dumbfounded!

That concubine… could she be trying to surpass her, the rightful main wife?!

For every joy, there must be sorrow,

And when Chen Yi's gaze shifted toward her, Lin Wanxiao shivered from head to toe, emotions storming within her like rivers joining the boundless sea. Yet, the realization quietly sank in, leaving only still waters in its place.

Chen Yi's fingers delicately pinched the golden hairpin, lifting his hand slightly as though moving closer to her.

At first, Lin Wanxiao was overwhelmed by a torrent of feelings too complex to describe. But the moment he truly approached, fear seized her heart.

Would she lose her purity... her body's and her spirit's?

But Chen Yi continued advancing.

Helpless against the tide, Lin Wanxiao could only close her eyes, already contemplating ending her life afterward.

Then—

Chen Yi passed her by.

Lin Wanxiao opened her eyes, first in disbelief, then in despair.

The female crown's expression remained composed, but inwardly, she was nearly laughing in triumph.

Serves you right for straying beyond the garden walls!

I've been a concubine too—how did I become the main wife while you remain on the sidelines?

Chen Yi walked slowly toward the head seat. Dong Guifei stepped to the side, clearing a path, and soon he stood before the Empress Dowager, speaking in a clear voice:

"Your humble servant is dim-witted and inexperienced in poetry, and all the ladies' verses here are truly excellent. Unable to choose the best, I thought to select one at random. But in an unguarded moment, I looked back and saw Your Majesty standing alone amidst the dim lantern light."

?!

The Empress Dowager's smile froze on her face.

Her fingers trembled, the spot on her chest heaving from his earlier remark now tingling unnervingly.

This treacherous man…

Could he truly mean to swagger in smugness?

A flicker of astonishment crossed her gaze, yet her face betrayed no emotion. Softly, she responded:

"I told you to offer the hairpin to the victor of this competition, but you give it to me instead? Such audacity."

"If not for audacity, how would I realize Your Majesty is the true victor among us all?"

Chen Yi respectfully cupped his hands, sincerity etched upon his face.

"I have no poetry to offer—how could I be the victor?"

"Though Your Majesty speaks no poems, the poetry within your heart is unmatched," Chen Yi paused, revealing a faint smile. "With your motherly love for the land and people, the unwritten verses from your soul are the most profound."

As his words fell, Dong Guifei, unable to hold back, burst out laughing:

"Well done!"

The Empress Dowager's cold glare shot at her.

Dong Guifei immediately fell silent.

Seldom did she laugh aloud, let alone openly speak… but in that moment, she couldn't help herself.

The whirlwind of schemes and drama unfolding around her was far too delightful. After all her time in the cold palace, she finally had the chance to witness such entertainment. She thought to herself that even enduring a few more playful advances from Chen Yi would be worth it for the memories of this grand spectacle.

By the candlelight, the golden hairpin gleamed.

The Empress Dowager regained her composure, her mind already calculating a response to the situation. She said:

"If that is the case, I shall accept the hairpin. However…"

As her words trailed off, the Empress Dowager shifted her gaze to Dong Gong Ruoshu:

"However, I command that this golden hairpin be passed on to Dong Gong Ruoshu. The reason is simple—she shall marry into the Chen household as its principal wife, forming a lifelong union with you."

......…

As the words fell,

?!

Yin Weiyin's face turned pale, her body overwhelmed by a sudden numbness.

That Dong Gong Ruoshu… was to marry Chen Yi and become his main wife, usurping her position?

So this explained the silken skirts...

So this explained the private feast invitation...

But clearly, she was the one who had been engaged to Chen Yi first. Clearly, she was supposed to be his golden match!

She had already lost the title once—did she really have to lose it again to someone else?

Where was the dignity of the Taichua Goddess to land after this?

Yin Weiyin felt the wine rapidly bubbling inside her. She glared at Dong Gong Ruoshu, memories of the latter's mocking tone resurfacing, calling her "Miss Dinglu." Old grudges and fresh resentments combined into a scorching fury, which she worked hard to suppress. Instead, she downed her goblet of daughter-red wine in a single gulp, her face a fiery flush—was it the effect of the alcohol, or her unrestrained anger?

A palace maid approached in silence, refilling her drink.

Walking toward Dong Gong Ruoshu, Chen Yi carried the hairpin, step by step.

Dong Gong Ruoshu's ears heated as her heart whispered—was the hairpin truly to be hers this time?

A fleeting spark of something warm began to softly resonate within her.

Being coerced into marriage, ridiculed by melon inspections, and now resigned to fate—it all pointed to this golden ornament, didn't it?

The Crown Princess Consort of the Western Jin's expression softened, flushed as a spring blossom:

"Thank you—"

But before her words even fell, Chen Yi abruptly tossed the hairpin. Its golden gleam traced an arc through the air, landing in Yin Weiyin's goblet.

Yin Weiyin's eyes narrowed slightly.

So in the end, it went to her…

Chen Yi then turned to the Empress Dowager, cupping his hands and declaring clearly:

"Your Majesty, forgive me for defying orders, but just a few days prior, I had already proposed in the Prince Mansion, formally requesting to wed the Prince's daughter, Yin Weiyin!"

His voice was neither loud nor soft, yet the words struck the hall with power.

The little fox whispered:

"And also the Duke's daughter, Yin Tingxue."

The flickering candles illuminated the golden hairpin still soaking in wine, casting shimmering reflections. Within the utter silence of Yuan Chun Hall, the Empress Dowager sat partially concealed in shadow, her face unreadable.

Moments passed, perhaps an eternity,

Before she finally broke her silence, but not to Chen Yi:

"Lady Yin, now that he has bestowed the hairpin to you, what are your thoughts?"

Yin Weiyin rose from her seat, lifting her goblet high so all could see.

The golden hairpin was drawn from the wine, and her long-suppressed emotions brought it to her lips. The wine trickled down along the hairpin, meeting her tongue. Her fiery-patterned azure garments swayed faintly with the breeze, her drunken demeanor aglow with an unrestrained charm.

"Your Majesty asks for this Taoist's thoughts—how could I not speak?

Since joining this feast, my heart has been in tumult due to everyone present. But at this very moment, it feels inexplicably calm. Strange, isn't it...

This Taoist once thought,"

Slowly, the female crown licked the remaining drops of wine from the hairpin, savoring its taste as she concluded:

"That he truly liked all of you."

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